World’s Longest Yard Sale starts in Gadsden: what to know for Aug. 6-9

GADSDEN – The World’s Longest Yard Sale started in Gadsden this morning and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. The southern end of the 690-mile route is here, at Noccalula Falls Park, and shoppers head north from there along Lookout Mountain Parkway.

The Greater Gadsden Area Tourism calendar lists the sale from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

Where does the World’s Longest Yard Sale start in Gadsden?

The official southern endpoint is the intersection of Noccalula Road and Body Street. Noccalula Falls Park, at 1500 Noccalula Road, is the starting point for shoppers traveling north, and vendors set up throughout the park.

From there the route follows Noccalula Road to Tabor Road, which becomes Alabama 176 and carries shoppers toward the Dogtown community. The road then becomes DeKalb County Road 89 and continues through Five Points, Fort Payne, Fischer, DeSoto State Park and Mentone.

How long is the route and where does it end?

The sale covers 690 miles across six states. From Gadsden it runs north through Georgia and Tennessee, passes through Chattanooga, then picks up U.S. Highway 127 for most of the remaining distance through Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. The northern end is Addison, Michigan.

The Gadsden to Chattanooga leg follows the Lookout Mountain Parkway rather than U.S. 127. That stretch is marked with green Lookout Mountain Parkway signs.

Because of the length, almost nobody shops the whole thing. Most people pick a segment. Starting in Gadsden and working north into DeKalb County makes a full day without leaving the region.

How many vendors are there?

Organizers say the sale connects more than 10,000 vendors and over 35 major vendor stops. A major vendor stop is defined as a single location or small area holding at least 25 vendors.

Two of those major stops are in Gadsden: Noccalula Falls Park and a location at 2266 Tabor Road. Farther along the Alabama stretch, the official vendor directory lists Akins Shady Pines near Fort Payne and the Collinsville Crossroads.

Between the major stops, sellers set up in front yards, pastures, church lots and pull-offs. That is most of the sale. The major stops are simply where the density is highest.

What are the hours?

The Gadsden listing runs 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Along the wider route, hours vary by seller. Organizers say most vendors open between 8 and 9 a.m. and close around 5 p.m., though some stay out later.

There is no central open or close time. Roadside sellers generally run from sunup to sundown and pack up when they are done.

What should shoppers expect from the weather?

Hot and humid, with storms possible in the afternoon.

The forecast calls for highs in the upper 80s to low 90s with scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms, favoring the eastern half of the area. That pattern holds into the weekend, with highs in the low 90s and daily pop-up storms Saturday and Sunday.

That matters more than usual for this event. Shopping the yard sale means walking outdoors for hours with limited shade, in and out of a hot vehicle. Bring water, take breaks, and keep an eye on the radar in the afternoon. Roadside vendors often cover or pack up quickly when a storm moves through.

What else is happening in Gadsden this weekend?

First Friday returns to downtown Gadsden on Friday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. Broad Street closes to traffic around 4 p.m. so classic cars can park along the street, and the evening brings food vendors, live music and shops staying open late.

The timing works in shoppers’ favor. Yard sale vendors wind down around 5 p.m., which is when downtown is getting started. Anyone coming off Lookout Mountain Parkway in the late afternoon can be on Broad Street within a few minutes.

Downtown Gadsden Inc. runs First Friday. Its rules include no pets, no personal coolers or glass containers, no skateboards or rollerblades.

Is Noccalula Falls Park worth a stop on its own?

Yes, and it is easy to forget that when the parking lot is full of vendors.

The park has the 90-foot falls it is named for, plus a botanical garden, the Pioneer Village, a miniature train and access to the Black Creek trail system. Visitors who drive in for the sale are already at one of the region’s main attractions.

Frequently asked questions

When is the World’s Longest Yard Sale in 2026? Thursday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 9.

Where does it start in Gadsden? Noccalula Falls Park, 1500 Noccalula Road. The official southern endpoint is at Noccalula Road and Body Street.

What time does it open? The Gadsden listing runs 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours vary by vendor along the route.

Does it cost anything? Admission is free.

How long is the route? 690 miles through six states, ending in Addison, Michigan.

Which way do I go from Gadsden? North on Noccalula Road, right on Tabor Road, which becomes Alabama 176 and then DeKalb County Road 89.

Find more local events on the GadsdenThrive events calendar.